Three illustrations from Karl von Eckartshausen's book: Aufschlüsse zur Magie aus geprüften Erfahrungen über verborgene philosophische Wissenschaften und seltne Geheimnisse der Natur (B545),/b>. The first two images illustrate ghost projections and the third illustrates how a magic lantern and mirror are used to create the ghost projection.

4110/4111/4114

Fantasmagorie

Anonymous

Engraving

France

c. 1799

8" x 5" (plate mark)

This striking small broadside advertises Étienne-Gaspard Robertson’s Fantasmagorie show held in the Convent des Capucines.

4137

Engraving

France

1831

3 1/4" x 4 1/4"

An illustration from Etienne Gaspard Robertson's Memoires recreatifs, scientifiques et anecdotiques(B108) which differs only slightly from the broadside of 1799 (#4137).

4599

Fantasmagorie

Anonymous

Engraving

France

1801

6 1/2" x 7"

A page from Les Etrennes de L'Institut National Et Des Lycess(B310).

1408

A Phantasmagoria

James Gillray

Engraving

Great Britain

1803

9" x 7"(left)/ 14" x 9 1/2"(right)

Inspired by Philipsthal's phantasmagoria shows satirizing of the Peace of Amiens between England and France as sacrificing British interests. Based on Macbeth's cauldron scene: Lord Addington, Hawkesbury and Fox are depicted as witches boiling down Britannia. The body of corpse of the British Lion disappears into the pot and a skeleton emerges. Lord Wilberforce is depicted kneeling in front of the pot.

0301/1298

The Original Phantasmagoria

Wood engraving

Ireland

1803

23" x 9 5/8"

Printed by Burnside, Dublin.

A broadside advertising the show of Mons. St. Clair who is documented to have given a show at The Royalty Theatre in London in 1801.

1519

Letterpress

Boston, America

Mon., July 25, 1804

1 1/2" x 2 3/4"

An ad for William Bate's Phantasmagoria show to be held at the Columbian Museum. Bates, a comic performer, was the first to introduce the Phantasmagoria to Boston with his show in June of 1804. This ad from Boston Gazette announced a new performance.

3399

Salle de Fantasmagorie

Anonymous

Engraving

France

1811

3 1/2" x 5 1/2"

Frontispiece from second book of <i:Les Savants de Quinze And</i>.(B485).

2988

Fantasmagorie

Le Roy

Wood engraving

France

1817

17 1/2" x 13"

0302

Philipsthals Phantasmagoria

Anonymous

Wood engraving

Great Britain

1825

Image: 3" x 4, page:8 1/4" x 5"

An eye witness account of Philipsthal's phantasmagoria show with the projection of the Red Woman which threw the audience into hysteria. The wood engraving is a fanciful depiction of the projection. Notice the magic lantern behind the cape. The cover image from the magazine The Portfolio February 19,1825.

4178

Mr. Philipsthal's Exhibition

Letterpress

Great Britain

1828

17 1/2" x 5 1/2"

2788

Philipsthal's phantasmagoria exhibition shown at the Theatre-Royal in York during December 1828.

Fantasmagorie de Robertson

Lejeune, after Etienne Gaspard Robertson(1763-1831)

Engraving

France

1831

4 3/8" x 7 1/2"

An illustration of a phantasmagoria projection. The frontispiece from Etienne Gaspard Robertson's Memoires recreatifs, scientifiques et anecdotiques. Published in Paris(B108).

0303

Phantasmagoric Air-Pictures and Optical Illusions

Wood engraving

Germany

c. 1825

17 1/2"" x 14 1/2"

A broadside advertising the phantasmagorie show of Herr Grunert. Part of the text reads:

"The apparitions of persons appear freely in the air, develop into various forms and dimensions, will approach every spectator in the most deceptive way, and then vanish into their former void. Among the both living and dead great leaders, emperors, kings, princes, etc. who appear will be seen Alexander I, reigning emperor of Russia, and Catharine II, former autocrat of all the Russias; also Frederick the Great, former king of Prussia, will be shown; moreover: the famous Professor Gellert and Heloise at the grave of her beloved Abelard. To make these optical enchantments all the more surprising they will be produced to the sound of artificially rolling thunder and lightning."

4375

The Phantasmagorie or Apparitions of Ghosts

Wood engraving

Germany

1833

17" x 14"

A broadside advertising the phantasmagorie show of the magician Weiss from Paris.

2627

Theatre of Fantasmagorie or The Transformation of the Spirits

Wood engraving

Russia

1833

16 1/2" x 10"

A programme for a Moscow Phantasmagoria Show given by Henrich Michaud described as a hydrologist, physicist, mechanic,and optician. The broadside declares the show will start and: "When the lights are extinguished, amidst lightning flashes, thunder claps, rain and storm there will appear various phantoms and revenants as well as various figures in the distance who will draw near and then vanish'"

Viewers then will be entertained by a variety of views including: The Magic rose, Pegasus flying to a cloud, The Sorceress, The American maiden, and Cupid in the rose bushes. This is followed by "New experiments with the phantoscope for the presentation of living persons" and the show concludes Hydraulic experiments.

1354

Theatre of Phantasmagoria or Metamorphoses of Ghosts

Wood engraving

Russia

1834

16 1/2" x 10 1/4"

ADVERTISEMENT

in no. 16 Moscow Intelligencer (Moskovskie Vedomosti)1834

HENRICH MICHAUT

Physicist, mechanic, optician and hydraulic engineert, having arrived in this capital from St. Petersburg, has the honor of informing the Respected Public that on February 25, 26, 27, 28 and March 1, 2, 3 and 4, from Sunday and throughout Shrovetide he will present the performances listed below: on the embankment of the Moscow River in the grain warehouse at No.1 near the gates of the Moscow Foundling Hospital.

I. THEATRE OF PHANTASMAGORIAOR THE TRANSFORMATION OF SPIRITS

By the extinguishing of fire, by lightning bolts, by thunder claps, rain and tempest, there will appear various apparitions and transformations as well as various figures, which will approach from a distance and then disappear; then will be shown: 1. The magic rose; 2. Pegasus flying to a cloud; 3. Cupid in the form of a pilgrim; 4. The great magic cave, in which various transformations will take place; 5. The sorceress; 6. Bloksberg; 7. The transformation of spirits; 8. The American woman; 9. The hermit; 10. Cupid in a rose bush; 11. Angels with trumpets; 12. The dream; 13. The philosopher; 14. Abelard and Héloïse; 15. A domestic picture; 16. A concert; 17. The tomb; 18. Apollo; 19. Diana; 20. Democritus; 21. The monastery; 25. The village; 24. The toilette, and certain living individuals.

II. In the salon of the house of Mme Annenkova, near the Bolshoy Theatre.

NEW PERFORMANCES:MECHANICAL THEATRE OF LIGHT.

VIEW OF A PORTION OF THE CITY OF PARIS.

This view illustrates the Louvre and the Tuileries Palace, as well as the Pont des Arts.

A great many boats, floating on the river on all sides, enliven this picture.

VIEW OF THE WINTER LANDSCAPE OF SAINT-TULLIFA.SUNRISE.

This view by its village situation and gradual appearance of the rising sun produces a pleasant sight; here is represented the break of dawn, the rising of the sun and the start of day; at this hour clocks chime in the tower and the sound of bells calls to morning prayer. The shepherd drives out his flock; the countrymen go into the fields.

CONSTANTINOPLE,

taken from the suburb of Pera. This view is distinguished by its unusual variety: many ships and courts run by moving people, which gives even more splendor to this picture.

VIEW OF KLORIKARLI FROM THE ENVIRONS OF WARSAW

A great many moving figures in national dress enliven this picture.

STORM

The sea in turbulence; the sky darkens; lightning cleaves the air; thunder growls; ships contend with the waves; one ship is hit by lightning; people save themselves by swimming.

HYDRAULIC EXPERIMENTS

Water will be put into action and made into a fountain, spouting in different directions.

Reynolds employed lots of effects in his shows including the use of a Phantasmagoria lantern. The broadside refers to the effects of its use claiming "Startling is his Sorcery of calling forth from any desirable source, true flesh and blood, covered with nature’s raiment, BREATHING, MOVING and LIVING Creatures as perfect and natural as made by the hand of nature."